Itaril

[FeRaL sHaDoW]

This always happens in movies to make it more interesting :/ i got 20 riding on we see Legolas in the Hobbit.

[skip spence]

Oh dear, this sounds terrible.

Well, no surprise I guess, in a big block-buster these days there has to be a strong, female character to appeal to a very profitable demographic group.

Mind you, a few plot changes and a couple of new characters aren't inherently bad in my opinion, it could make the film more enjoyable not knowing every twist and turn beforehand. That said, chances are they eff it up. Badly.

[Alcuin]

Then Eorache daughter of Eorlobe is exactly what Hollywood needs! More from “The Riders of Roi-Tan” (ibid.),

As they watched helplessly, the line of riders bore down upon them. Suddenly the centermost figure, whose spiked helmet also boasted two longhorns, gave a vague hand signal to halt and the men reined to a stop in a display of astoundingly inept sheepmanship. … [T]he pronged leader cantered up to the three astride a bull merino of great stature and whiteness, its tail intricately braided with colored rubber bands. … The leader, shorter than the others by a head, looked at them suspiciously through twin monocles and brandished a battlemop. It was then that the company realized that the leader was a woman, a woman whose ample breastplate hinted at a figure of some heft.

“Vere ist you going and vat are you doing here when you are not to being here in der first place vhere you ist?” the leader demanded…

Stomper stepped forward and bowed low… “Hail and greeting, O Lady,” lisped Stomper... “We are wayfarers in your land searching for friends taken by the foul narcs of Sorhed and Serutan. … They are three feet tall with hairy feet and little tails, probably dressed in elvin cloaks…”

The captain of the sheepmen stared at the Ranger dumbly, then turning to her own company beckoned a rider. “Medic! Hurry up, I haf vork for you. Und he ist delirious, also!”

“Nay, beautiful Lady,” said Stomper, “they of whom I speak are boggies, or in the tongue of the elves, hoipolloi. I am their guide, who am called Stomper by some, though I have many names.”

“I bet you do,” agreed the leader, tossing her golden braids. … “I ist Eorache, daughter of Eorlobe, Captain of der Rubbermark and Thane of Chowder…”

See? Ready-made Hollywood heroine with minimum rewrite. And if they want more, the sheep can dance.

[Thinlómien]

Ugh. And if IMDb is to believed, this Itaril will be played by the now 16-year-old Saoirse Ronan...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0903624/

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Ugh. And if IMDb is to believed, this Itaril will be played by the now 16-year-old Saoirse Ronan...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0903624/

Instead of making up a character for her, I say let her be one of the residents of the Last Homely House singing "tra la la la lally", and making good-natured fun of Bilbo.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by skip spence

Oh dear, this sounds terrible.

Well, no surprise I guess, in a big block-buster these days there has to be a strong, female character to appeal to a very profitable demographic group.

"Strong", indeed! There has to be a female character who is young, pretty, and can use a sword (or an equivalent weapon suitable for the story). Therefore, she is a wonderful female role model, which is further emphasised by that her personality, beyond the things mentioned above, is reduced almost to zero, or even below. (Though speaking of that, not that many main male characters are much better in that regard.)

In any case, I don't know what is the reason to bring her in, but what I hate the most are these pseudo-heroines (indeed, pseudo-heroines, because on top of everything else, they are mostly just pitiful less-than-human or less-than-elf or whatnot creatures) invented out of nowhere because there weren't enough women in the books. In LotR, there were few women, but those who were there compensated with their impact and personality (thinking mainly of Galadriel, who would have sufficed for the whole book even if she was alone, and Éowyn, and Ioreth - three great personalities. Oh, and Goldberry. Rosie Cotton and Arwen in brackets, they don't stand out very much, or play any very active role). Unfortunately, there was no woman in the Hobbit (except for Belladona Took - now that would be a worthy character!), but we can surely live with that. We have learned to accept it and like the story as it is. You blasphemers go and make your own movie about something else if you don't like it.

(I have the feeling I have been here before.)

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

In any case, I don't know what is the reason to bring her in, but what I hate the most are these pseudo-heroines (indeed, pseudo-heroines, because on top of everything else, they are mostly just pitiful less-than-human or less-than-elf or whatnot creatures) invented out of nowhere because there weren't enough women in the books.

I wonder if Tollers really isn't trying to give PJ an indication that he does not approve of the former's attempts to market the book to a "modern" audience.

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

(I have the feeling I have been here before.)

I think many have. I would say its "Arwen redux", except Arwen was at least an actual character in LOTR, albeit one that had absolutely no speaking role in the books until almost the end of the story.

[Alcuin]

Rankin/Bass looks more and more respectable as time goes on.

I once worked for a guy who told me to never let anyone competent take your job after you: it makes you look better by comparison.

[Dilettante]

So it seems like PJ & Co. nicked the name for some token female Elf who wasn't in the book either, but whose presence is presumed necessary in order to feed the unwashed movie-watching masses' hunger for on-screen romance. I'm afraid it takes no extraordinary sagacity to guess who the "young Elf lord" she falls in love with is going to be... *shudder*

*suppressed chuckle* How very apt a description. *SIGH* just when I thought things would turn out well too. I guess we shouldn't be surprised, everyone these days thinks they can "improve" on an already perfect story by "modernizing" it or making it relevant to today.

Good looking strong female roles are put into plots a.) to attract female viewers who want someone in the story they can relate to and b.) to attract men that want to gawk at onscreen females. Because we all know the story just isn't good enough on it's own. My money is on her falling in love with Legolas (who will probably have a scene where he's doing some smithing, because Orlando Bloom seems to play a blacksmith a lot.)

It's Arwen taking Glorfindel's part again....only worse because Arwen is at least an original character.

[Nerwen]

Showing promise as a fighter at a young age, ITARIL was chosen to train to become part of the Woodland King’s Guard. This is the only life she has ever expected to live, until she meets and secretly falls in love with a young ELF LORD.

Ha! I love the way the actual film is converging on the various hoaxes and worst-case scenarios.

[skip spence]

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

"Strong", indeed! There has to be a female character who is young, pretty, and can use a sword (or an equivalent weapon suitable for the story). Therefore, she is a wonderful female role model

Yeah, what's the deal with that? A positive female role-model on screen has to be wafer-thin and petite yet all too adept at beating up/slicing up/shooting people, or men to be more precise. Angelina Jolie, I'm looking at you.

[Galadriel55]

I wonder how much this Itaril is going to resemble Eowyn. Let me guess...
Thranduil will die in the middle of the Battle of 5 armies.
Legolas will take over.
He'll get wounded/will be dying.
Itarill will come in her shieldwoman armour and save Legolas.
Itaril saves the day!

...not.

PS: Shouldn't this be in the movies forum?

[Galadriel55]

PPS: I think that Itaril will be a better actor than this! *and they don't even say the role here!*

[Pitchwife]

I wouldn't say that - looking at that pic, Geordie does have a certain charismatic presence, wouldn't you say? As for his role, it makes me hope we'll see Beorn's housekeeping animals after all, even though it looks like Beorn himself is going to be replaced by Radagast, who I suppose will enter the Battle of Five Armies at the last moment, riding on Geordie, and save the day; Geordie of course will have the honour of finishing Bolg by running him through with his single horn.

Further speculations:

• Either Itaril or Leggie or both will conspire with Bilbo to free the Dwarves, defying Thranduil's orders.
• Itaril will meet a tragical heroic death in the Bo5A, causing Leggie to go berserk and vent his grief by killing a few mumakil. (What do you say, there weren't any in that battle? How narrow minded... What are a few uncanonicities among friends?)
• Finally, with Leggie in the film, another bowman would be quite redundant, so guess who gets to shoot Smaug? Bingo. Bye bye Bard...

[Galadriel]

[QUOTE=Galadriel55;649097]Thranduil will die in the middle of the Battle of 5 armies.
Legolas will take over.
He'll get wounded/will be dying./QUOTE]

Lol, if Legolas takes over the fangurls will pounce on PJ demanding to know why Legolas wasn't treated like a king in the trilogy

[Jolly Cotton]

It's not surprising that PJ is creating a new fictional character (it's a fictional book remember guys!), I mean this is PJ. The same PJ who reduced Merry and Pippin to comic relief. The very same left out the proper end of the story!

So now we have Frodo (albeit for a very short time at the start), Legolas, and now an elfmadien. Next PJ will realise a statement saying RicK Astley will produce the soundtrack...!

[Galadriel]

Originally Posted by skip spence

Well, no surprise I guess, in a big block-buster these days there has to be a strong, female character to appeal to a very profitable demographic group.

Apparently, females can only be 'strong' when they wield a sword and ride a horse better than Glorfindel I just can't understand why...